When I look back on May, the word that keeps coming to mind is firsts.
Not the huge, life-altering kind. The smaller ones. The kind that ask us to stretch just beyond our comfort zones and remind us that growth often happens one awkward, exciting, uncomfortable step at a time.
This month, it felt like our entire family was trying something new.
Since watching hockey during the Olympics, Layne has been fascinated by the sport. This spring, he signed up for a Learn to Play Hockey course through the Sportsplex. If you know Layne, you know that hard physical work isn't always his first choice, but he's been showing up, working hard, and genuinely enjoying it. Watching him push through something difficult simply because he's curious about it has been a good reminder that growth doesn't always happen in the places we expect.
Meanwhile, Madi took her first international trip without Mom and Dad, traveling to Costa Rica with her 8th grade class from The Franklin Academy. As much as I missed her, watching her step into that adventure with confidence and independence was pretty incredible. She came home with stories, memories, and a little more confidence in herself than when she left.
She's also discovered a love for sewing. Lately she's been designing and modifying sweatshirts for her school's business fair and having a lot of fun figuring out how to turn an idea into something tangible. In another surprising development, she learned how to mow the lawn this spring and has started taking on mowing jobs for neighbors and clients. If you happen to need some mowing help this summer, I know someone who would love to earn your business!
As for me, I decided it was time to be a beginner again.
I enrolled in a watercolor class through Whatcom Community College's Community Education program, and if I'm being honest, it's been wildly uncomfortable. I've always considered myself creative and crafty, but never artistic. Sitting in a room with actual artists and staring at a blank sheet of watercolor paper has felt vulnerable in a way I wasn't expecting.
The funny thing is... I'm learning. And I'm having fun. And I'm not half bad so far.
Kyle has been stretching himself, too. In between helping with my sellers' listing prep projects, serving his own clients, and keeping up with everything else life throws our way, he tackled a big retaining wall project at our house. The wall is turning out beautifully, but I'm fairly certain he would like everyone to know that he is not accepting retaining wall projects for my clients anytime soon. We can all admire it from afar when it's finished.
Somehow, we also squeezed in trips to both our Eliza Island cabin and our Vista Ridge Airbnb Property in Brewster, which felt like little opportunities to catch our breath during one of the busiest months of helping buyers and sellers that I've had in my career.
And just like that, May disappeared.
What I'm taking away from this month is that life feels fuller when we're willing to be beginners. When we're willing to look a little awkward, try something new, and trust that we don't have to be good at something to enjoy it.
Maybe that's the invitation for all of us this summer: to try the class, take the trip, learn the skill, start the project, or chase the curiosity.
You never know where a first might lead.